Colostomy fecal pouch venting means

ABSTRACT

A colostomy attachment employing a fecal pouch with self venting means for trapped gases.

iUniteti 8ttes atet Eimm'e et a1.

COLOSTOMY FECAL POUCH VENTING MEANS Inventors: Austin E. Elmore; Ernest A.

Uhimann, both of 4533 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Ariz.

Filed: Mar. 16, 1973 Appl. No.1 341,857

11.8. C1. 128/283, 128/275 int. Cl. .1 A61f5/44 Field of Search 128/283, 275

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1943 Fenwick 1. 128/283 1 1 Feb. 111, 1975 2,973,759 3/1961 Plyma1e,.1r. 128/283 3 439,677 4/1969 Bonfils 128/283 3,759,260 9/1973 Nolan et 211. 128/283 Primary Examiner-Lucie H. Laudenslager Attorney, Agent, or FirmWarren F. B. Lindsley [57] ABSTRACT A colostomy attachment employing a fecal pouch with self venting means for trapped gases.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing [Figures PMENIEU FEBI 1 195 SHEEI 2 OF 2 COLOSTOMY IFECAL POUCH VENTING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to medical and patient care apparatus and is particularly directed to means for venting gases from colostomy fecal pouches.

Heretofore, gases escaping from stoma openings have been a problem for colostomy patients since there has been no satisfactory and convenient way to release these gases from a fecal pouch. The common practice among colostomy patients has been to pull the sealing collar of the fecal bag or pouch away from the body around the stoma opening sufficiently to let the gases escape, however, this action breaks the seal of the collar around the stoma opening and at times results in the leakage of fecal matter from the. pouch, particularly when the patient is in bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed, an improved, simple and easily manufactured valve is provided for automatic controlled venting of gases from a colostomy fecal pouch without disturbing the tight body seal of the pouch which must be maintained around the stoma opening.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a positive, automatically controlled venting means for fecal pouches.

Another object of this invention is to provide a venting means for fecal pouches while maintaining a tight seal around the stoma opening.

A further object of this invention is to provide fecal pouch venting means which are simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a disposable fecal pouch with an inexpensive vent.

A still further object of this invention is to provide fecal pouch venting means independent of the pouch itself so that pouches may be disposed of as required while the vetning means is reusable with other pouches for relatively long periods of time.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a vent means for fecal pouches, which under a controlled and regulated manner, gradually and continuously dispells the trapped gases.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a venting means for fecal pouches which will restrain the leakage of fecal matter from the pouch while expelling gases trapped therein even when a patient is in bed.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specificatron.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a disposable fecal pouch with improved venting means and embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the vent shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmental sectional viewthrough the fecal pouch vent shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate its construction. FIG, 4 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view of a modified form of vent for a fecal pouch assembly permitting disposal of the fecal bag without disturbing the venting means for the pouch assembly.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of parts shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how the vent of FIGS. I, 2 and 3 opens under pressure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a combined irrigating and fecal pouch employing the venting means disclosed.

FIG. 8 is a'sectional view of the pouch shown in FIG. 7 with the top open.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawing by characters of reference, FIG. 1 discloses a fecal beg or pouch l which is usually made from a relatively strong, soft moisture proof material, such as, for example, transparent plastic material, sealed closed when attached to a stoma opening of a patient in leak-proof ar rangement so that fecal matter is contained within the pouch. The plastic material used is usually very flexible so that it will fit body contours without showing through a patients clothing. One form of disposable fecal pouch, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, utilizes a plastic belt-plate 2 usually having ears or wings 3, 3 extending therefrom defining suitable slots or openings 4, 4' therein to which the ends of an elastic belt (not shown.) is connected. The belt is positioned around the patients body to hold the pouch in place. The belt plate 2 has a central, preferably circular, opening 5 therethrough sized to fit around the stoma opening of a patient. Since the size of the stoma openings may vary with the patient, the size of the opening 5 must be large enough to encircle any one of them.

The fecal pouch I is secured to the belt plate on the outer face 6 thereof by any suitable means, such as an adhesive, and is provided with an opening 6' into the pouch which coincides with opening 5 in belt plate 2 so that opening 5 communicates with the interior of the bag or pouch l.

The inner face 7 of belt plate 2 has an annular ring 8 of nonabsorbent, closed-cell plastic foam, or other suitable material, secured thereto surrounding opening 5 in belt plate 2 to provide a cushion and seal around the patients stoma opening to prevent leakage of fecal matter from the pouch at this point.

In use, the patient places the belt-plate over the stoma opening with the cushion and seal ring 8 against his body, and then tightens the elastic belt, not shown, which is attached in openings 4, 4' of the belt plate to securely hold the seal ring 8 against his body.

Since the escape of gas from a stoma opening is not predictable or controllable by a patient, it enters the fecal pouch and causes it to inflate like a balloon, resulting in the patients clothing loeing distorted. Accordingly, a need exists for releasing this gas before it accumulates enough to cause the bulging problem.

In accordance with the invention claimed, a simple venting means 10 is installed on the outer face 12 of the bag or pouch I adjacent the upper or top portion 11 thereof. The venting means 10 is preferably installed as close to the upper and 11 of the pouch as possible, and preferably above the opening in the belt plate, as shown in FIG. 1, to preclude leakage from the pouch of anything but gases.

The simple venting means comprises two small flat patches or pads of flexible plastic material 13 and I4 laminated together, as by an adhesive and secured to the face of the pouch, either on the inside or outside surface thereof. Pads -13 and 14 of the venting means, as well as pouch l, have a slot extending therethrough for venting purposes. Slot I5 is preferably vertically disposed, as shown, with the slots through the pads 13 and 14 and pouch 1 being contiguous to provide the venting means for the pouch.

To provide for controlled venting of the pouch, venting means 10 is composed of two pieces formed from plastic, rubber, or other suitable material, having different degrees of flexibility or hardness. The softer, more flexible pad 13, faces toward the inside of pouch l; and the harder, less flexible pad 14, faces toward the outside of the pouch.

The purpose of using-a softer, more flexible pad 13 on the inner side of the venting means 10 and the harder, less flexible pad 14 on the outside is to insure proper closing of the vent when it is not in use. The harder, relatively stiffer, pad 14 forces slot 15 of the venting means 10 closed as it returns to its original, relatively flat position after distortion by gas under pressure in bags and the softer, more flexible pad 13 serves to insure the sealing or closing of slot 15 from the leakage of fecal matter.

FIG. 6 clearly shows how gas pressure in bag or pouch 1 tends to force the edges of slot 15 open to permit gases to escape automatically when the gas pres sure reaches a sufficient value. Obviously, all of the gases will not escape automatically, however, the patient may easily exhaust the remaining gases from the pouch by applying hand pressure to the pouch to force all gases from pouch 1 out through slot 15 of the venting means 10. As soon as the gases are exhausted, slot 15 of the venting means 10 will automatically close and seal as above described.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a modified form of the automatic venting means disclosed in FIGS. 1-3. In this modified form of venting arrangement, a relatively thick cushion and sealing ring 16 of non-absorbent, closed cell plastic foam is employed. This ring is similar to ring 8 of FIGS. 1-3 and is secured to a suitable plastic sealing ring carrier member 17 which has a central stoma embracing opening 18 extending therethrough.

The venting means of FIGS. 4 and 5 comprises a small plastic tube 19 extending radially through the sealing ring 16 and providing a venting channel extending from the opening 18 in ring 16 to the outside thereof, as can be clearly seen from the drawings. In operation, it is preferred that the sealing ring be positioned on the patients body so that the vent tube is vertically disposed with the outer end of the tube uppermost to minimize the possibility of leakage of fecal matter from pouch l. I

The venting tube 19 provides a passageway for gases inside of pouch l to escape therefrom automatically and continuously as required.

The venting arrangement of FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown for use with a special fecal pouch mounting assembly, including the sealing ring carrier 17 which has an outwardly extending flange 20 having an annular boss 2] on its outer end. A fecal pouch carrying ring 22 is provided to carry and hold pouch 1 in wearing position. The pouch is installed on ring 22 by inserting the loose end 23 of the pouch through the central opening 24 of ring 22 and folding the loose end 23 of the pouch back over the outer periphery of the ring 22. Ring 22 may then be snapped in place around flange 20, as shown in FIG. 1, to provide a tight mounting for the pouch on the carrier 17.

A belt attachment plate 25 having a central opening 26 to fit over the pouch carrying ring 22 is then snapped in placed over the pouch ring 22, and the belt, not shown, is used to secure the assembly tightly against the patients body.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the venting means 10 mounted on a modified form of bag or pouch IA which may be used for irrigating the colon as well as a fecal pouch. This type of pouch is desirable for patients who may have diarrhea and may require more frequent irrigating or pouch cleaning action. As shown, pouch 1A is provided with sealing ring 8 and belt plate 2 similar to that shown in FIG. 1, however, the top or upper end of the pouch is provided with a plastic zipper closure 28-29 to permit opening of the pouch for access to the stoma opening for irrigating, or for merely rinsing out the pouch when required.

The bottom of pouch 1A may be closed by folding its open lower end 30 back on itself and applying a suitable clamp 31 such as the well known barret thereto to provide a sealed closure.

Pouch 1A may be opened for rinsing by removal of clamp 31 and unfolding its end 30.

It can be seen that when the top and bottom of pouch 1A are closed and sealed, the venting means 10 will operate in the same manner as on pouch l of FIG. 1.

It is deemed apparent from the above that a long sought answer to the problem of venting gases from a fecal pouch is provided which is simple, inexpensive, and automatic and will maintain a desired seal of the bag or pouch around the stoma opening. This type of bag or pouch will provide colostomy patients with peace of mind from the effects of such gases and prevent undesirable leakage of fecal matter from the pouch.

Although the venting means 10 is shown as comprising a pair of laminated pieces of flat plastic material, it should be recognized that this venting means may comprise one piece of flat, flexible material which cooperates with the plastic material of the pouch to form the venting and sealing means afforded by venting means 10 of FIGS. l-3 and 6-8.

Even though the fecal pouches I and IA are shown with belt attachment means they may utilize merely an adhesive means for fastening the pouch to the skin of the user.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and other modifications may be made to the apparatus shown and described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A colostomy attachment of a soft, resilient, moisture proof material with self venting means for gases trapped therein comprising:

a closed pouch for receiving fecal matter,

said pouch being provided with an opening thereinto 5. The colostomy attachment set forthin claim 4 of sufficient size for surrounding a stoma opening wherein: of a user, and said venting means is positioned on said pouch above venting means for said pouch comprising a first flexisaid opening for surrounding said stoma opening ble, substantially flat surfaced pad secured to one 5 when said pouch is so positioned. surface of said pouch, said first pad and said one 6. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 surface of said pouch having a contiguous venting wherein: slot extending therethrough which opens when said opening in said pouch and said venting means gases in said pouch distort the surfaces of said first are positioned adjacent one end of said pouch. pad and said pouch, 10 7. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 said venting means for said pouch further comprises wherein:

a second slotted flexible, substantially flat surfaced said opening in said pouch and said venting means pad, laminated to said first pad, said first and secare positioned adjacent one end of said pouch with ond pads and said one surface of said pouch having said venting means being positioned closer to said their slots in alignment forming a contiguous ventone end. ing slot extending through said pouch. 8. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 in 2. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 further combination with: wherein: a plate secured to the surface ofsaid pouch and sursaid first and second pads are formed oftwo different rounding said opening in said pouch,

pieces ofplastic material having different flexibility said-plate defining an opening axially aligned with characteristics. said opening in said pouch for surrounding the 3. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 stoma opening of the user, wherein: a non-absorbing annular ring secured to the exposed said one of saidpads adjacent the surface of said surface of said plate around the periphery of the pouch is formed ofa relatively more flexible mateopening in said plate for engaging the body of the rial than the other of said pads to insure the sealing user, and of said venting slot when said pouch is not exposed wherein said venting means for said pouch is proto internal pressure. vided in said ring and comprises a passageway ex- 4. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 tending through said ring between said opening in wherein: said ring and the periphery of said ring for venting said pouch is of an elongated configuration having its said pouch.

longitudinal axis positioned vertically when placed 9. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 8 in around a stoma opening when the user is standing, further combination with: and said venting means is vertically arranged in said a thin plastic tube arranged within said passageway I pads and said pouch when said pouch is so posifor lining said passageway,

tioned. 

1. A colostomy attachment of a soft, resilient, moisture proof material with self venting means for gases trapped therein comprising: a closed pouch for receiving fecal matter, said pouch being provided with an opening thereinto of sufficient size for surrounding a stoma opening of a user, and venting means for said pouch comprising a first flexible, substantially flat surfaced pad secured to one surface of said pouch, said first pad and said one surface of said pouch having a contiguous venting slot extending therethrough which opens when gases in said pouch distort the surfaces of said first pad and said pouch, said venting means for said pouch further comprises a second slotted flexible, substantially flat surfaced pad, laminated to said first pad, said first and second pads and said one surface of said pouch having their slots in alignment forming a contiguous venting slot extending through said pouch.
 2. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first and second pads are formed of two different pieces of plastic material having different flexibility characteristics.
 3. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 wherein: said one of said pads adjacent the surface of said pouch is formed of a relatively more flexible material than the other of said pads to insure the sealing of said venting slot when said pouch is not exposed to internal pressure.
 4. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 wherein: said pouch is of an elongated configuration having its longitudinal axis positioned vertically when placed around a stoma opening when the user is standing, and said venting means is vertically arranged in said pads and said pouch when said pouch is so positioned.
 5. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 4 wherein: said venting means is positioned on said pouch above said opening for surrounding said stoma opening when said pouch is so positioned.
 6. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 wherein: said opening in said pouch and said venting means are positioned adjacent one end of said pouch.
 7. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 wherein: said opening in said pouch and said venting means are positioned adjacent one end of said pouch with said venting means being positioned closer to said one end.
 8. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: a plate secured to the surface of said pouch and surrounding said opening in said pouch, said plate defining an opening axially aligned with said opening in said pouch for surrounding the stoma opening of the user, a non-absorbing annular ring secured to the exposed surface of said plate around the periphery of the opening in said plate for engaging the Body of the user, and wherein said venting means for said pouch is provided in said ring and comprises a passageway extending through said ring between said opening in said ring and the periphery of said ring for venting said pouch.
 9. The colostomy attachment set forth in claim 8 in further combination with: a thin plastic tube arranged within said passageway for lining said passageway. 